NADIYA BYCHKOVA & KAI WIDDRINGTON
So much has been made of the Strictly “curse”, but for Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington, the show was been nothing but a blessing as their relationship blossomed.
And now Nadiya, 34, and Kai, 28, are heading on their second tour, Nadiya & Kai: Behind The Magic. heat caught up with them to chat about dancing and romancing...
What’s your favourite style of dance to do together?
Kai: I like dancing all dances with Nadiya. It’s easy, effortless. She’s like a Rollsroyce! She’s a five-time world champion and the best in the business. Professionally, I’m lucky to share the stage with her, but it does make it that bit more special that we’re together.
Speaking of Strictly, –you recently finished the live tour. How was that?
Nadiya: It was a lot of fun. The last series of Strictly had a great line-up and, for me, because I didn’t have a celebrity partner, it was a great opportunity to spend time with everyone and get to know them.
We played The Traitors every night.
Ooh, who were the Traitors?
K: Initially, it was Nancy [Xu], Annabelle [Croft] and me, but I got caught immediately. Nadiya knows me too well and sussed me pretty quickly. I can’t lie!
Who was the best player?
N: I was good. Well, I caught Kai!
K: I think Nadiya was best at sussing out who was who and, as a result, got killed pretty early on. Layton [Williams] ended up winning.
Are you still close with all of your former celeb partners?
K: I’m very much in touch with Angela [Rippon]. I think everyone will be pleased to know she’s even nicer off camera. She’s a national treasure. She hates me saying that, but she is.
N: Dan [Walker] and
‘I’d like to partner with Miriam Margolyes’
I are still good friends. We had a great partnership on the show and he really helped me overcome some of the insecurities I had in front of the camera or talking in my fourth language. I’m also still in touch with Matt [Goss] and Davood [Ghadami]. Davood came to watch our show Once Upon A Time with his daughter last year.
Who would be your dream celeb partner on Strictly?
N: I might go for Usher. He had some good moves at the Super Bowl last month.
K: On a very different note, mine would be Miriam Margolyes. I think she’d be the best partner because she would have me in stitches laughing. Mobility might be a bit of an issue, but I’d fly her in like Ann Widdecombe.■
Nadiya & Kai: Behind The Magic starts on
1 June. For more information and tickets, head to Nadiyaandkai.com